Post-Race Scrutiny Alters Chinese GP Results

In a dramatic turn of events following Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified along with teammate Charles Leclerc and Alpine's Pierre Gasly after post-race technical inspections revealed violations.

The Technical Infringements

• Hamilton's Skid Block Issue: One of the skid blocks on Hamilton's SF-24 was measured below the minimum required thickness (9mm) after the race
• Weight Violations: Leclerc's car was found underweight (798kg vs required 800kg), while Gasly's Alpine also failed weight checks
• Historical Parallel: This marks Hamilton's second disqualification for skid block violations after the 2023 US Grand Prix incident with Mercedes

Performance Implications

Formula 1 cars utilize titanium skid blocks embedded in wooden underfloor planks to:

1. Maintain regulated ride height (typically 30-50mm)
2. Prevent excessive aerodynamic advantages from running too low
3. Protect the car's underside on bumps and curbs

Excessive wear can provide illegal performance benefits by allowing lower ride heights and increased downforce.

Team Responses and Consequences

Ferrari's official statement addressed the issues:

"While there was no intention to gain advantage, we accept the FIA's findings. Leclerc's one-stop strategy caused unexpected weight loss through tire wear, and we misjudged Hamilton's skid wear by a small margin. These were honest mistakes, and we'll implement measures to prevent recurrence."

Revised Race Standings

Technical Analysis: Why Plank Wear Matters

• The titanium-reinforced wooden plank must maintain at least 9mm thickness across 10 measurement points
• Skid block wear is monitored through:
  • Pre-race ultrasonic thickness measurements
  • Post-race physical inspections
  • Laser scanning of wear patterns
• Teams must account for:
  • Circuit roughness
  • Suspension setup
  • Driving style
  • Fuel load changes